20 June 1811

Abdication

2

58

That on the part of those by whom these seats are filled upon the present terms there would be a general not to say universal reluctance, and that a most strenuous one to the subjecting themselves to any terms in a /any/ considerable degree disadvantageous, and in particular in /to/ such a degree disadvantageous as those just mentioned, is what can never be desired.

But from such reluctance can any such conclusion be with any /the least/ colour of reason be inferred as that no persons equally fit would be found upon the proposed terms in question upon the only terms which with reference to the public would not be disadvantageous? By no means.

1. In the first place, no reason would it afford for supposing that even by the self same individuals - and if not by all of them, […?] of all without exception that were worth having - at any rate by all that were most worth having, the same /these/ seats would not continue to be filled after the proposed /supposed/ reduction in the terms, as before.

But here[?] most incontestably, and even by the supposition, on the supposed new terms, the public business, would though so far by the same hands be in several respects and those most important ones better exercised /performed/ - performed more to the advantage of the public than before, these same hands though in point of individuality they would be the same hands, yet in respect of character and conduct and character they would be bastard[?] hands: as hands they would be what no body body is when by /in lieu of/ the original corruption uncorruption has been put in by it.